ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
GeM and SIDBI sign MoU to enable growth of MSMEs, Start-ups and Women Entrepreneurs
Government e Marketplace , Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry has signed an MoU with Small Industries Development Bank of India [SIDBI] to benefit MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups , Women Self Help Groups and various loan beneficiaries under MUDRA and Stand-up India scheme. The MoU was signed in New Delhi yesterday. This MoU will enable promotion of special initiatives of GeMlike Womaniya and Start-up Runway with SIDBI stakeholders. GeM and SIDBI will take steps to ensure payments within a guaranteed timeframe to sellers, enhance working capital availability through bill discounting and control NPAs through control of end use.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO GeM, Talleen Kumar, highlighted thatpartnership with financial institutions like SIDBI is necessary in GeM’s journey towards outreach to MSMEs, Micro Enterprises, Start-ups, Artisans, who can now also sell to Government on an open, transparent and technology-driven platform. The Government eMarketplacewants to empower these sellers throughthepayments within a guaranteed time frame by auto-debiting GeM Pool Account, provide working capital by giving the choice of Bill Discounting to MSMEs – with only PSU banks initially, by linking cost of working capital to the performance and rating of the seller, and by providing creditors better visibility on end use of working capital loans. This will contribute tremendously to the growth of MSMEs and Start-ups.
Chairman and MD, SIDBI, Mohammad Mustafa, hailedGeM for its efforts to align SHGs, women entrepreneurs, artisans, NGOs, Start-ups and other sectors with public procurement and strengthen the existing MSME ecosystem. While highlighting various efforts of SIDBI to ensure access to finance for MSMEs in the country, he mentioned that, the MoU would strengthen capacity building through GeM-specific training programmes of personnel from partner agencies, value-added services through networking, workshops, marketing events, awards and recognition of MSMEs with special focus on SHGs, women entrepreneurs, artisans, NGOs, Start-ups and micro enterprises.
The MoU of GeM with SIDBI is yet another step towards its growing partnership with financial institutions to enable growth of MSMEs and Start-ups in the country.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Infrastructure and medical facilities in esi run hospitals
To provide medical benefit to the increasing number of Employees’ State Insurance  beneficiaries, ESI Corporation , over the period, has given in-principle approval for setting up of 76 new ESI hospitals. At present, there are 160 ESI hospitals in the country.
Additionally, tie-up arrangement has been made with private hospitals for providing cashless in-patient medical services to ESI beneficiaries, in case ESI hospital or in-house medical services in a particular hospital is not available.
The ESI Corporation has also collaborated with Ayushmaan Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna  to provide secondary and tertiary care medical services to ESI Beneficiaries through PMJAY empanelled hospitals in the country
ESI hospitals provide secondary care medical services in various specialities, namely Medicine, Surgery, Gynae & Obstetrics, Orthopaedics, Paediatrics etc. Further, ESI Corporation has taken various steps to improve the quality of medical services in ESI Hospitals, as under:
- Enhancement of sanctioned staff strength of ESIC hospitals.
- Enhancement of 50% of bed strength, if bed occupancy is more than 70% in ESIC/ESI Scheme  hospitals for last three consecutive years.
- Formation of state ESI societies so that States’ have financial and administrative freedom to take decision for improvement of medical services.
- Allocation of additional budget under Project Implementation Plan  for State ESI Schemes.
- The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation provides Rs.200/- per IP per annum over and above ceiling to the state government, where the bed occupancy in all the State run ESIS hospitals is more than 70% during the previous financial year.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
DEPwD'S Tableau on "Indian Sign Language" To Be a Special Attraction at this Year's Republic Day Parade Tomorrow
The Tableau of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre , Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at the this year’s Republic Day Parade tomorrow will showcase the theme ‘Bhartiya Sanketik Bhasha– Ek Rashtra, Ek Sanketik Bhasha’. It will highlight the unifying nature of Indian Sign Language  in a nation, where there is a great diversity in spoken languages. The aim of the Tableau is to raise awareness and highlight the commitment of the Government towards creating a barrier-free environment for persons with hearing disabilities by promoting ISL.
In the Tableau, there will be 12 artists, in the age group of 20-23, as follows: Names of artists on Tableau: Utkarsh Chaurasia; Abhishek Gautam; Gargi Shukla; and Stuti Kumari. Names of the artists on Ground: Divyansha; Deepali; Trilok; Pankaj; Neha; Rinku; Ritu; and Sakshi. They will be seen on the Tableau performing the theme song in Indian Sign Language.
Sign language is a visual language that uses hands, facial and body movements as a means of communication for persons with hearing disabilities. It is a unique and unifying language that connects all persons with hearing disabilities in the country. There are many spoken languages in the country, but there is only one Indian Sign Language. With a view to enhancing accessibility for the hearing impaired, a need was felt to set up an Institute focusing on the development and furtherance of Indian Sign Language.
Accordingly, Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre , New Delhi was set up on 28th September, 2015, as an autonomous body under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities , Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. The main objective of the Centre is to develop manpower for using, teaching and conducting research in Indian Sign Language.
ISLRTC conducts courses for developing Indian Sign Language  Interpreters and teachers and provides interpretation services to organizations for various programs & events. It has developed a dictionary of ISL containing 6000 Academic, Medical, Legal and Agricultural terms in addition to terms of everyday use. The Centre also provides Short Term Training Programmes on basic ISL communication skills. To make educational materials accessible for children with hearing disabilities, ISLRTC has signed an MoU with National Council of Educational Research and Training . As part of this MoU, educational print materials such as school text books of Classes I to XII of all subjects  are being converted into ISL.
Prime Minister's Office
Bodo Agreement heralds a new beginning for Bodo People; will strengthen unity & integrity of Assam: PM
Bodo Agreement inspired by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas & Sabka Vishwas' and spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat' : PM
Development of Bodo areas foremost priority of Government; Work has begun on Rs. 1500 crore development package: PM
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has termed the Bodo Agreement as a historic chapter for peace and development in Assam. Hailing the Bodo Agreement, He said it is inspired by the by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas & Sabka Vishwas' and spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat'.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister said, “As India remembers Pujya Bapu on his Punya Tithi, Assam is witnessing a historic chapter for peace and development. After a wait of 50 years, agreement with our Bodo friends heralds a new beginning. It will strengthen Assam's unity, bring development and usher in a bright future.
After signing this historic agreement with Bodo organizations, foremost priority of our govt is development of Bodo areas. Work has begun on a comprehensive Rs 1500 crore package. Our special focus will be on ease of living and ensuring that Bodos benefit fully from govt schemes.
Bodo friends joining us on path of peace sends a clear message that solution to issues is possible when we leave path of violence & repose faith in democracy & Constitution. I welcome my Bodo friends to the mainstream. We are committed to ensure development of Bodo areas.
The 5 decade old Bodo issue finds resolution on the Punyatithi of Pujya Bapu today. The accord between the Bodo groups & Govt will strengthen the unity & integrity of Assam. I welcome decision of my Bodo friends for leaving violence & reposing faith in democracy & Constitution.
The accord with our Bodo friends is a message to Assam & other violence affected parts of the country. Nation's development can be given momentum only in an environment free of violence &fear. Happy that entire energy of our Bodo friends will further strengthen Assam's development.
The accord with our Bodo friends was made while protecting the interest of other communities of Assam. This is a victory for all, it's victory for humanity. It is inspired by the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas & Sabka Vishwas', & by the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shresth Bharat'”.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
220.65 cr Total Vaccine doses  have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
1,246 doses administered in last 24 hours
India's Active caseload currently stands at 6,350
Active cases stand at 0.01%
Recovery Rate currently at 98.8%
479 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,41,59,182
918 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate 
Weekly Positivity Rate 
92.03 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 44,225 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
Ministry of Railways
Shri Kuldeep Singh, the Chief Coach of Indian Women Wrestling Team promoted to the Gazetted post of Assistant Commercial Manager in Northern Railway
This is the first promotion of a coach under the liberalized policy for promotion of the sportspersons and coaches as announced by Shri Piyush Goyal earlier this year
Ms. Sudha Singh, double Olympian athlete of Indian Railways has also been granted promotion to officer grade in Indian Railways
Ms. Sakshi Malik, and Ms. Vinesh Phogat, both Railway employees, are amongst Shri Kuldeep Singh’s pupils.
Railway Sports Promotion Board  of Ministry of Railways has formulated a liberalized policy for promotion of the sportspersons and coaches to the officers grade as per which out of turn promotion shall be granted to sportspersons to Officer Grade based on their outstanding sports achievements which inter-alia include representing the country in Olympics on at least two occasions with either at least one medal in Commonwealth Games/Asian Games or being the Arjuna/Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees.
Amongst the first beneficiary of the policy is Shri Kuldeep Singh, the Chief Coach of Indian Women Wrestling Team whose orders for promotion to the Gazetted post of Assistant Commercial Manager have been issued in Northern Railway. Ms. Sakshi Malik, Bronze medalist of Rio Olympics and Ms. Vinesh Phogat, Gold Medalist of Commonwealth Games 2018 and Asian Games 2018, both Railway employees, are amongst Shri Kuldeep Singh’s pupils.
Ms. Sudha Singh, double Olympian athlete of Indian Railways has also been granted promotion to officer grade in Indian Railways in terms of this new policy.
It is felt that such proactive steps would not only encourage the sportspersons and coaches to do better but will also go a long way in taking the Indian Sports to new high.
Backgrounder:-
During the felicitation function of Commonwealth games medalists held earlier this year, Union Minister of Railways & Coal, Shri Piyush Goyal had announced that a Comprehensive promotion policy for sportspersons and coaches to Officers Grade shall be put in place. He had also emphasized that the contribution of the coaches in preparing the sportspersons who bring laurels to country by way of medals at prestigious International competitions should be given due recognition.
Accordingly, Railway Sports Promotion Board have formulated a liberalized policy for promotion of the sportspersons and coaches to the officers grade as per which out of turn promotion shall be granted to sportspersons to Officer Grade based on their outstanding sports achievements which inter-alia include representing the country in Olympics on at least two occasions with either at least one medal in Commonwealth Games/Asian Games or being the Arjuna/Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Awardees.
The liberalized promotion policy also provides for out of turn promotion to such of the Railway Coaches in Officer Grade who fulfill certain criterion. The criterion for coaches inter-alia includes Padma Awardees on the basis of achievement in sports and also such coaches whose pupils have won medals at the Olympics/Asian Games/ Commonwealth games etc.
Prime Minister's Office
Prime Minister to launch Khelo India School Games in the Capital tomorrow
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will launch the first Khelo India School Games at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi on January 31, 2018.
The Khelo India programme has been introduced to revive the sports culture in India at the grass-root level by building a strong framework for all sports played in our country and establishing India as a great sporting nation. In keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, Khelo India is expected to help scout young talent from the schools in various disciplines and groom them as future sports champions.
Talented players identified in priority sports disciplines at various levels by a High-Powered Committee will be provided annual financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh per annum for 8 years.
The Khelo India School Games are being held from 31st January to 8th February, 2018 in New Delhi. Under-17 athletes have been invited to participate across 16 disciplines: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Shooting, Swimming, Volleyball, Weightlifting, and Wrestling. The games will highlight India’s young sporting talent and showcase India's sports potential.
199 gold medals, 199 silver medals and 275 bronze medals are at stake in the Khelo India School Games. The country’s brightest talent in the under-17 age group will compete in the Games.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 UPDATE
117.63 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
Recovery Rate currently at 98.32%; Highest since March 2020
12,202 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,39,46,749
7,579 new cases in the last 24 hours; lowest in 543 days
India's Active caseload stands at 1,13,584; lowest in 536 days
Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.33%; Lowest since March 2020
Daily positivity rate  less than 2% for last 50 days
Weekly Positivity Rate  less than 2% for last 60 days
63.34 cr Total Tests conducted so far
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
UPDATES ON COVID-19
Standard of care for Clinical Management Strategy for COVID-19
The approach for treatment of COVID-19 is largely based on asymptomatic and supportive care, since there is no cure as yet. Maintaining good hydration is also essential. Based on severity of symptoms, COVID-19 can be categorised into 3 groups: mild, moderate and severe. In a Video Conference with States on 10.07.2020 and a virtual meeting on “COVID Case Management by State / UT Centres of Excellence” on 10.07.202, ICMR and AIIMS, New Delhi emphasised the theme that in the absence of a cure, the standard of care treatment for mild, moderate and severe cases as described in the Clinical Management Protocol of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare , would be most effective.
For moderate and severe cases, adequate oxygen support, appropriate and timely administration of anti coagulants and widely available and inexpensive corticosteroids, in accordance with the protocol, can be considered to be the mainstay of COVID-19 therapy. For mild cases, which are nearly 80% of the total cases, Hydroxychloroquine  has been recommended. The standard of care treatment strategies have shown to yield positive results.
The pursuit of an effective treatment for COVID-19 has also resulted in repurposing of several drugs which are not a part of the main Clinical Management Protocol but have been indicated as “investigational therapies”. These can be used in specific sub-groups of patients on the basis of informed and shared decision making with the patient before prescribing these drugs. These drugs have still not been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India  and are only permitted for restricted Emergency Use for COVID-19. The States as well as the Medical College hospitals designated as Centres of Excellence were reminded by ICMR and AIIMS that their indiscriminate use or use in conditions for which they are not desirable, may cause more harm than good.
The States were also told that the available evidence for Remdesivir suggests that it may decrease the time for clinical improvement when used in moderate to severe cases. However, there have been no benefits in terms of reduced mortality. It has to be used with extreme caution due to its potential for serious adverse effects including liver and kidney injury. Similarly, for Tocilizumab studies have not shown any benefits in mortality reduction. However, if used for patients with severe conditions, proper informed consent is required. Rampant use is to be discouraged since the effect of the drug is directed at the ‘cykotine storm’.
All the ‘investigational therapies’ are required to be carried out only in proper health care facilities where close monitoring of patients is possible so that potential complications can be managed. ICMR strongly recommended that the focus of clinical management should continue to remain on oxygen therapy , steroids , appropriate & timely administration of anti-coagulants and high quality supportive care, including mental health counselling for patients and families, proning, management of pre-existing illness and palliation of symptoms.
Ministry of Rural Development
Monitoring visit by Central Teams to State of Telangana
A Central team of the Ministry of Rural Development, Govt. of India was deputed to conduct a monitoring visit in connection with implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in the State of Telangana from 9thJune 2022 to 12th June 2022. The team has found several issues with the implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS in the state of Telangana.
The inspection by Central team has highlighted the issues such as taking of non-permissible work , non-compliance of Guidelines related to Desilting of Minor Irrigation-Tank works, taking staggered trenches work in plain areas, whereas, such works are useful mainly in hilly regions, splitting of works to avoid approval of the superior technical authority and other procedural violation of guidelines.
Keeping in view such implementation issues and lapses, Central Government felt need to deploy more central teams to conduct a thorough scrutiny of implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS so that necessary course correction in process of implementation of scheme in the state of Telangana may be carried out by the State Government on the basis of all such reports, which will cover 15 more districts of the State.
The team will visit Nizamabad, Peddapalli, Medak, Siddipet, Suryapet, Karimnagar, Nagarkurnool, Nirmal, Jayashanksar Bhopalapally, Mahabubabad, Sangareddy, Rangareddy, Adilabad, Ranjanna Sirsila and Mulugu. The team will comprise 3 members led by a Director/Dy. Secretary rank officer and include one Engineer.
Each team will visit 4-6 Gram Panchayat in 2 Blocks of the District covering the works related to Desilting of MI-Tanks, Staggered trenches, Road side Plantation works and other works under Mahatma Gandhi NREGS. The central focus of the team visit is to ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of the Scheme.
Monitoring of implementation of Mahatma Gandhi NREGS is one of the regular activities of the Ministry of Rural Development. The purpose of this exercise is to test check the actual implementation of the Scheme on the ground for course correction, if any, ensuring faithful adherence to the Scheme Guidelines & philosophy and transparency in execution.
The primary responsibility for ensuring adherence to the scheme protocols and guidelines rests with the State. The States have been encouraged to set up various monitoring mechanisms, viz. inspection by the State HQ and programme official, social audit, Ombudspersons etc. The failure of these mechanisms is worrisome.
Ministry of Defence
VISIT OF JAPANESE NAVAL SHIPS TO KOCHI
Japan Maritime Self Defence Force  Ships Uraga and Awaji made port call at Kochi from 14 -16 Feb 23.Capt Nakai Eichi, Commander, Minesweeper Division One along with Commanding Officers of JS Uraga and JS Awaji called on Commodore Upal Kundu, Chief Staff Officer , Southern Naval Command and discussed matters of mutual interest. The ship's crew visited professional training schools and ship of Southern Naval Command. During the visit, they were familarised with various training facilities and activities undertaken at the Training Command of the Indian Navy. Visit and professional interaction onboard Japanese ships were conducted to enhance interoperability and share best practices between the Navies.
Presently, the ship is on her passage to Bahrain. The visit of Japanese Naval ships has significantly contributed towards strengthening bilateral defence ties and enhancing maritime cooperation in the region.
Ministry of Railways
Shri Shivaji, Railway Protection Force Constable to be decorated with “Railway Minister’s Medal” for Bravery
Shri Shivaji, Railway Protection Force Constable will be decorated with “Railway Minister’s Medal” for Bravery along with a cash award of Rs. 1 Lac. This award is given to member of the force who has either shown exceptional courage, skill or bravery exhibited conspicuous devotion to duty as a member of the Force.
On 23.04.2018, Shri Shivaji, RPF constable, while escorting the train from Velachery station in Southern Railway around 23.45 hrs, heard the screams of a lady commuter from the adjacent coach as the train left Chintadripet station. The agile RPF constable Shri Shivaji boarded the adjacent coach upon arrival at the next station i.e. Park Town Station. Upon noticing a man attempting to sexually assault a woman commuter, he immediately plunged into action. The constable overpowered the offender and rescued the woman. The offender was immediately handed over to Government Railway Police, Chennai Egmore  and an FIR was filed based on the complaint by Shri Shivaji. The woman passenger was rushed to Rajiv Gandhi General Hospital, Chennai for medical care.
Shri Shivaji, RPF constable has won many a heart for his timely intervention in saving a woman commuter. Shri Ponn Manickavel, Inspector-General  appreciated Shri Shivaji for his swift action and gave a sport cash award of Rs. 5000.
PIB Headquarters
PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19
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- 196.45 cr vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive
- India's Active caseload currently stands at 81,687
- Active cases stand at 0.19%
- Recovery Rate currently at 98.60%
- 9,862 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 4,27,25,055
- 12,249 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours
- Daily positivity rate 
- Weekly Positivity Rate 
- 85.88 cr Total Tests conducted so far; 3,10,623 tests conducted in the last 24 hours
#Unite2FightCorona #IndiaFightsCorona
Press Information Bureau
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Government of India